Mionix launches world's first Smart Gaming Mouse on Kickstarter

Mionix has taken to Kickstarter to help fund what it is calling the world's first Smart Gaming Mouse, the Naos QG.

Retaining the classic ergonomic shape that has defined the Naos mice thus far, the Naos QG is an optical gaming mouse with a twist, in that it includes sensors that will monitor your heart rate and galvanic skin response (how sweaty your mitts are, in layman's terms), as well as APM and movement data, with the intention being to provide data-backed insights into how you, your friends and your favourite professional players play games – the QG in the name stands for Quantified Gaming.

The sensors are built into the body of the mouse in a way that doesn't interrupt the smooth exterior. The positioning really only makes them suitable for right-handed palm grip players, but given the specific ergonomics of the Naos design this shouldn't come as a surprise.

Using the Quantified Gaming software, users can select what stats they want to track, and these will be shown in-game on an independent, transparent overlay which can be customised and moved to a suitable position. The software will also provide post-game analysis graphs and can take screenshots during what it deems to be your most stressful moments. You should also be able to see real-time data of your friends and teammates during the game. Data can also be easily shared on things like social networking sites and Twitch, and Mionix also sees the data being used in professional broadcasts of esports events.

As well as the obvious funding reason, Mionix says it is using Kickstarter so that it can constantly gather feedback during the course of the mouse's development. It sees the Mionix Naos QG as the first step towards an open Quantified Gaming platform; it will be developing APIs allowing people to tap into the hardware and create their own experiences. It is also readily inviting games developers and other hardware teams to get involved in this way. Mionix even has a suggestion of its own: having sweat drip into your character's eyes and obscuring your vision during parts of a game where you get stressed and tense.

As of now, the Kickstarter project is live here and accepting donations in a bid to reach its $100,000 goal within 39 days. The tiered rewards program begins at $5, for which you'll have your name listed on the QG website. Other rewards include early bird discounted pricing on the mouse, as well as deals for buying more than one (i.e. for a team of gamers), customised laser etching and, at the very top of the pile, an all expenses paid trip to Dreamhack 2015 in Jönköping, Sweden. We say all expenses paid, but it will set you back at least $5,000.

Mionix currently aims to have prototypes production runs started by April/May 2015 and mass production runs in June/July 2015 to meet its estimated delivery date of July next year. The suggested retail price for the Naos QG is $129 (approximately £100 here once tax is considered).

The Naos 5000 is a highly moulded gaming mouse that hugs the shape of your hand. With a maximum sensitivity of 5,040dpi and all the customisation options of a modern gaming mouse. Read on to see why it's one of the best mice we've tested to date.